Carol Saunders: Florida Classical Ballet Theatre's final production under that name

In one performance only, Florida Classical Ballet Theatre completes its 12th season with one performance of a collection of short ballets called “Short Stories,” to be presented Friday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the company’s home theater, Eissey Campus Theatre at Palm Beach State College in Palm Beach Gardens.

The ballet company’s season finale will be the last production under the name of Florida Classical Ballet Theatre.

Beginning in the 2013/2014 Season, Florida Classical Ballet Theatre will be known as “Ballet Palm Beach.” “The name Ballet Palm Beach better aligns our growing ballet company with who we are and the community we serve,” says Artistic Director Colleen Smith.

Short Stories will begin by enchanting the audience with a favorite scene from “The Sleeping Beauty; Aurora’s Wedding.” Storybook magic will permeate the theatre with music by Tchaikovsky.

Following “The Sleeping Beauty; Aurora’s Wedding” is a piece from the company’s Ballet By The Book repertoire. The dancers will delight the audience through their interpretation of the children’s book “Artful Reading” set to music by Handel. Next, the dancers will perform a tango with music by Astor Piazolla.

Lastly, the dancers perform “Fish Tale” with music by Mozart. “Fish Tale” is set at the turn of the century at a seaside town and centers on a conman, a “mermaid”.

For more information on Florida Classical Ballet Theatre, visit fcbt.org, join us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased at www.fcbt.org or by calling the Eissey Campus Theatre at Palm Beach State College during office hours at 561-207-5900. For more information, call the school at 561-630-8235.

Abstractions at Lighthouse ArtCenter’s Midtown Gallery

A spectacular invitational exhibition at the Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery at Midtown in Palm Beach Gardens will showcase abstract painting created by new and emerging artists who have studied with Sibel Kocabasi at the Lighthouse ArtCenter.

The paintings, created within the past two years, include the innovative use of materials and the incorporation of unconventional media and techniques. The artists are Christine Fogel, Ira Fogel, Jacqueline Rood Leopold, Buddy Lurier, Beverly Marshall, Michael Rippey, Leila Schlesinger, Carole Shulz, Jules Slotnik and Lee Tregurtha.

Meet the artists and Kocabasi at the opening night reception Thursday, April 25, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The exhibition runs through July 31.

Curating the exhibition is award-winning artist, renowned curator and educator Sibel Kocabasi. She was born in Turkey and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Turkish Traditional Arts, Kilim and Rug Design, from Marmara University of Fine Arts. She has a Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting from Florida Atlantic University.

“I have the privilege of working with this talented and ambitious group of artists. We have collaborated to design and present this exhibition, which I feel showcases the best of our group,” Kocabasi said. “I have watched these talented individuals grow and improve their work at the Lighthouse ArtCenter, through hard work and via our weekly critique session of each other’s process. I’m excited to have this opportunity to present their artwork to the public. “

Kocabasi has organized and curated many group exhibitions both domestically and abroad. In 2007, she conceived and curated “Undertow,” featuring the work of 29 artists from Miami and Palm Beach County at Mimar Sinan University in Istanbul, Turkey. In 2012, Kocabasi curated “Outside the Box,” an exhibition of outdoor installations at the Whitespace The Mordes Collection in West Palm Beach.

Kocabasi has exhibited nationally and internationally, including in the 10th Cairo Contemporary Art Biennale. She is the recipient of the 2006 Hector Ubertalli Visual Arts award, as well as the 2010 South Florida Cultural Consortium Fellowship for Visual Artists in Palm Beach County. She teaches abstract painting at the Lighthouse ArtCenter School of Art in Tequesta.

The Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery at Midtown is located at 4777 PGA Blvd. in Palm Beach Gardens. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or by appointment. For more information on the Lighthouse ArtCenter, exhibitions, programs and events, visit LighthouseArts.org or call 561- 746-3101.

Artists Association holds solo exhibit

The Artists Association of Jupiter and A Unique Art Gallery held A Solo Exhibition by local photographer and Operation Freedom Veteran Liesl Marelli on Wednesday April 10.

The “Honor and Serve” exhibition was to benefit the Renewal Coalition of South Florida. Due to the great turnout and generous donations of those that attended, over $500 was raised.

The Renewal Coalition’s mission is to assist wounded service members and their families in their transition from military to civilian life or back to active duty by offering a retreat experience at Florida residences with the intent of providing these families a relaxed, pleasant, and welcoming environment. Lodging, meals, entertainment, ground travel and even the small amenities are the responsibility of the Renewal Coalition and NOT the service members and their families. www.renewalcoalition.org.

The Artists Association of Jupiter is a collaboration of artists who work together to promote the awareness of art and education to the community and surrounding counties. Its venue, A Unique Art Gallery, opened its doors in June of 2010. Learn more about the organization, its artists and programs on the Association’s website, www.artistsassociationofjupiter.com For more information call or email the Gallery at 561-529-2748 or auniqueartgallery@comcast.net